Maronite village

Just 385 families keep four villages in occupied areas alive

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Just 385 families keep four villages in occupied areas alive

There are only 385 families still living in the occupied villages of Kormakiti, Karpasia, Agia Triada, and Rizokarpaso, serving as pillars of Hellenism and the Maronite community. The Ministry of Social Welfare has revised the Resettlement Plan to provide financial support and incentives for families to return. The plan includes flexible conditions and offers facilitations such as allowing non-consecutive overnight stays and extending caregiving allowances. Interested parties must have permanent residence in the occupied villages and not be recipients of public assistance. The Ministry of Social Welfare manages and implements the plan, providing a monthly allowance to beneficiaries who meet the requirements and continue to reside permanently in their occupied village.

The Cypriot village with a language of its own

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The Cypriot village with a language of its own

Tom Cleaver visited Kormakitis, a Maronite village in Cyprus, known for its unique language, Sanna, which is a derivative of Arabic brought to the island around 1,200 years ago from Mesopotamia. Kormakitis, once the largest of four majority-Maronite villages, has around 300 residents and is located in Cyprus’ northwestern corner. The village is significant as the spiritual capital of Maronite Cypriots, who are in full communion with the Catholic Church of Rome. The local church features two boxy cuboid bell towers and an interior with a statue of Saint George and writing in the Syriac script. The visit was organized by the Cyprus Bilingualism Association and the Cyprus Linguistics Society to highlight the linguistic uniqueness of Kormakitis.